and she reacted to criticism from senator john mccain. >> i have great respect for senator john mccain and his service to his country. i always have and i always will. i do think that some of the statements he's made about me have been unfounded, but i look forward to having the opportunity at the appropriate time to discuss all of this with him. >>> and to new york now where thanksgiving day is already under way. nbc's jay gray is live for us along the parade route of the 86th annual macy's thanksgiving day parade. it is now sunny outside, jay. how's the weather? >> reporter: it's beautiful. it's going to be a beautiful day here in new york. it's going to be a great parade. the excitement is building. in fact, take a look behind me. you can see all the energy that's going on here and some of the balloon teams already here on the ground. the kermit the frog balloon team, the hello kitty balloon team behind me getting ready to work those balloons through the streets of new york. and as you push past them and through the balloons, you can see the nets still over them, but they'll be comi